City jail inmates get services from government groups, NGOs

CEBU, Philippines - About 100 representatives from different government and non-government organizations attended yesterday’s first consultative meeting on services they can provide inmates of the Cebu City Jail.

Jail Warden Supt. Felixberto Jagorin said yesterday’s event was a renewal of the commitment of different “service providers.”

“Daghan jud ang nang-attend, overwhelming,” Jagorin said.

The meeting was attended by representatives of different tertiary schools, the court, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), prosecutor’s office, Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Social Welfare and Development, Cebu Chamber of Commerce, and religious groups.

Jagorin said they have also tied up with the Foundation for Mental Health, an NGO based in the United States.

Jagorin said the attendees decided to provide a “unified” service to the inmates.

“Mag-unite na ba in service providing nya ihatag tanang service na ilang ma-provide para sa jail, dili pareha sa una nga iyahay. Nya mutunga or dili ang service na ilang ihatag, nawala na ang commitment ba,” Jagorin said.

Jagorin said the representatives from the academe are planning of letting their students conduct tutorial services and provide skills training and donate books to the mini library, which will be constructed soon. Law students are also planning to have their on-the-job training at the facility.

The groups will reconvene a few days from now to discuss the specific activities to be undertaken.

Admitting that the facility has very limited funds, Jagorin said their focus at present is how to sustain and rehabilitate the inmates. Today, the inmates will be made to undergo psychological education.

 “We are hoping na matabangan sad intawn ang mga inmates kay limited jud kaayo among funds diri,” he said. Right now, there are at least 1,900 inmates inside the jail facility. (FREEMAN)